Hospitals across North Carolina are currently witnessing high volumes of patients with respiratory illnesses, as per reports from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Key among these concerns is influenza, which is contributing to a significant load on healthcare services, as observed by ECU Health Associate Medical Director of Infection Prevention, Dr. Ryan Gallaher.
Although both COVID-19 and RSV maintain a presence, flu is presently the primary cause of hospital visits. Emergency room statistics reflect this trend, indicating a rise in visits related to respiratory illnesses from 21.8% to 22.4% in just a week. Hospital admissions have also increased, with last week seeing admissions for COVID-19 and flu rise to 923 and 1,055 respectively, from the previous week’s 710 and 722.
This concerning trend has been attributed to complacency by David Bullock, who believes that those affected continue to partake in public activities and neglect to employ necessary precautions. In light of this, Dr. Gallaher stresses the importance of upholding sensible steps like maintaining good hygiene, getting vaccinated, and practicing social distancing. He further clarifies that despite a few instances of individuals contracting the virus post-vaccination, the vaccines remain crucial as they significantly suppress the severity of the infections.
To alleviate burdens on emergency rooms, health professionals advocate for patients with mild symptoms to consider treatment from their regular healthcare provider instead. For comprehensive protection against respiratory illnesses, Dr. Gallaher recommends practicing the three ‘W’s – washing hands regularly, wearing masks, and watching one’s distance.
Source: https://www.witn.com/2024/01/05/health-department-reports-surge-flu-admissions-hospitals-east/